The Walkley Basis has dumped Channel 7 Highlight’s unique “bombshell” interview with Bruce Lehrmann as a finalist from its Scoop of the Yr class.
In an announcement, the inspiration stated the Board had reviewed paperwork uploaded to the Federal Courtroom this week, which revealed an exclusivity settlement made between Seven and Mr Lehrmann in April.
The paperwork reveal Channel 7 organized to pay for the interview, alongside together with his lease to stay in an expensive Maroubra condominium for a yr, ranging from April 2023.
Through the unique Highlight interview, Mr Lehrmann gave his facet of the story on the excessive profile courtroom case the place he was accused of raping former parliamentary colleague, Brittany Higgins, in Parliament Home.
He’s heard stating to interviewer Liam Bartlett: “Let’s gentle some fires”.
“Every thing must be on the market, within the open, so folks can assess this for what it’s,” he states.
Mr Lehrmann was charged with raping Ms Higgins and pleaded not responsible throughout a felony trial in Canberra.
The trial was aborted resulting from juror misconduct and a retrial was deserted by the Director of Public Prosecutions resulting from issues over Ms Higgins’ psychological well being.
Mr Lehrmann maintains his innocence.
Of their assertion the Walkley Basis stated: “Following a evaluate of those paperwork, The Walkley Basis Board has come to the unanimous conclusion that the Seven Highlight story ‘Trial and Error’ was not eligible for consideration within the All Media Scoop of the Yr class for the 2023 Walkley Awards because the entry didn’t precisely describe the extent of advantages offered to Mr Lehrmann in alternate for interviews, info and unique entry.”
“The Walkley Basis has revoked the story’s finalist standing within the 68th Walkley Awards.
“It’s the duty of The Walkley Basis administration to find out the eligibility of entries for consideration by the judging panels in every spherical of judging for the Walkley Awards.”
Channel 7 had beforehand denied paying Mr Lehrmann for the interview.
